Interpersonal Awareness and Skills

I want to do with you what Spring does with the cherry tree.
– Neruda

Awareness and self-knowledge alone are not enough to assure success in our relationships with others. Being with others in nonviolent, empowering, compassionate, or creative ways requires skills. Unfortunately, in our Western society, we often do not value, talk about, or practice those skills. In fact, in the United States, where I live, we are suffering from a growing lack of civility, particularly in public discourse.

Interpersonal awareness and skills include active listening, nonviolent communication and conflict resolution. Our emerging global village also calls us to develop skills in coping with diversity and multiculturalism.